Synthesis, characterization, energy transfer and photophysical properties of ethynyl bridge linked porphyrin–naphthalimide pentamer and its metal complexes

Abstract A novel ethynyl bridge linked naphthalimide-functionized porphyrin TANPH 2 has been synthesized by a combination of Sonogashira coupling and Gonsalves and Pereira nitrobenzene reaction, and the corresponding metal (Zn 2+ and Cu 2+ ) complexes TANPZn and TANPCu were synthesized. The structures of these compounds were characterized by 1 H and 13 C NMR spectra, FT-IR, MALDI-TOF-MS and elemental analysis. The photophysical properties have been investigated by UV–Vis absorption and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. Energy transfer studies have revealed that the excitation energy transfer occurred from the naphthalimide units to the porphyrin core. By the introduction of ethynyl bridges between the peripheral naphthalimide arms and the porphyrin core, TANPH 2 and TANPZn can emit intense red light with high fluorescent quantum yields.